Thai authorities have arrested four Russians working illegally as electricians on a karaoke construction site in Koh Samui, who came from Phuket without valid work permits.
On 5 May 2026, officers from the Surat Thani province Immigration, in collaboration with the Koh Samui tourist police, arrested four Russian nationals caught red-handed engaging in illegal work. These men, who had arrived from Phuket, were carrying out electrical work and sound system installations in a building being converted into a karaoke bar and hostess bar on Chaweng beach.
Under the orders of Plt.Gen. Kittirat Panpetch, head of the Royal Thai Police, and senior officials such as Plt.Gen. Sanran Nuamma, director of the Centre for Suppression of Transnational Crime, a major operation is targeting foreigners engaging in illegal economic activities, including through nominee companies in real estate. The authorities are systematically targeting foreigners who threaten public safety, the country’s image, or who steal jobs from Thais.
“Plt.Col. Chutrachet Yingyong Domrongskul, head of Immigration 6, stated that Plt.Gen. Phanumas Bhunyarak, Commander of Immigration, has ordered checks on groups of illegal foreigners causing disorder or threatening security, and to prosecute them immediately if they encroach on jobs reserved for Thais.”
After several days of surveillance, the investigators caught the group installing electrical equipment, lighting systems, and karaoke screens in a secret VIP room. The suspects had locked the doors to avoid checks, but an officer took advantage of a cigarette break to intervene. Tools, cables, and plans for the future establishment were seized.
The four arrested are: Konstantin Kupert (43), Vladislav Loginov (27), Nikolai Kolpadoff (38), and Maxim Grebkin (45), all employees of a company in Phuket. Two of them had been in irregular status for three months; none had authorisation for these jobs reserved for Thais, despite diverting tourist visas.
They were transferred to the Bo Phut police station for prosecution. An investigation will target their alleged employer on suspicion of a nominee company. After trial, deportation and visa cancellation are expected.
This operation is part of the policy of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and police chiefs to eradicate cross-border crime and illegal behaviour by foreigners.